National Security

WSJ: Officials Say Iran Helping Syrian Government Suppress Protests

The U.S. government says Iran is helping Syria crack down on anti-government demonstrations by blocking and monitoring the use of the Internet, cell phones and text messaging by protestors, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

"We believe that Iran is materially assisting the Syrian government in its efforts to suppress their own people," an Obama administration official told the Journal.

Tehran may also be looking into ways to get involved in the destabilization of Bahrain and Yemen, officials added, saying such actions could challenge U.S. interests there.

While U.S. officials said that they do not see Iran as “the driving force” behind popular revolts against U.S. allies in the Middle East over the long term, they cautioned that the administration is concerned that continued turmoil in the region could give Tehran an opening for further influence.

In this vein, the administration will continue “keeping an eye” on Tehran’s activities, an official told the Journal.